London fop Percy Blakeney (Leslie Howard) is also secretly the Scarlet Pimpernel who, in a variety of disguises, makes repeated daring trips to France to save aristocrats from Madame Guillotine.
His unknowing wife (Merle Oberon) is also French, and she finds that her brother (Walter Rilla) has been arrested by the Republic to try and get her to find out who "that damned elusive Pimpernel" really is.


This movie is part of the collection: Feature Films

Director: Harold Young
Producer: Alexander Korda, Grace Blake
Production Company: London Film Productions
Audio/Visual: sound, black & white
Keywords: Adventure; Comedy; Leslie Howard; Merle Oberon
Contact Information: www.k-otic.com

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: torgman - - June 28, 2009
Subject: Uh, Noah 8-?...
The Scarlett Pimpernel wasn't saving the COMMON man.

Reviewer: surfvh - - June 9, 2009
Subject: A Really Terrific Movie!!!
Leslie Howard steals the show! The way he plays the fop and while you're watching, subtly shifts gears before your eyes to become the Scarlet Pimpernel is amazing. He shows what being a master actor is all about. The scene where he plays a grandmother is worth watching the movie for, just by itself. Merle Oberon and the rest of the cast do a marvelous job as well. A lot of movies are just made. This one is crafted with loving care, and it shows. Hollywood could learn a lot from this movie on how to produce true masterpieces instead of pap and junk. Brilliant writing, scintillating acting, Sublime directing, wonderful staging, and professional camera work. This film has it all. This is a movie you do not want to miss. Download it now. You will not be disappointed.

Reviewer: airann - - March 26, 2009
Subject: Good Film
This is just a good time film. Fun with a little edge of your seat thrown in.

Personal rating is 3/4 Bookmark

Reviewer: earplay - - March 26, 2009
Subject: Enjoyable!
Merle Oberon is always good. The whole cast is good. I prefer the newer color version. Not for the color, but because the actor who plays the Pimpernel is more interesting than Leslie Howard. The new version is funny and suspenseful.

The previous reviewer should note that The Scarlet Pimpernel was written before Sherlock Holmes, Zorro or Batman.

Reviewer: Noah 8-? - - March 24, 2009
Subject: Prince of Wales?
Surprise me.... It's Nigel Bruce... I think. The famous sidekick of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson portrayed by none other than Nigel Bruce; the same Nigel Bruce that herein portrays the Prince of Wales.

Oh yes.... an' where have we seen this plot before? More recently. The Scarlet Pimpernel disguised as a fop (and vice versa) rides to the rescue of the common man in 1794 France.

Zorro disguised as a fop (and vice versa) rides to the rescue of the common man in the late 1800's

Batman disguised as a fop/wealthy dandy (and vice versa) rides/flies to the rescue of the common man in Gotham another hundred plus years later.

I wonder if the latest version has escaped my attention.

Noah 8-?

Reviewer: jcliff - - March 5, 2009
Subject: great movie
this is a great movie to watch.I would watch it again.I give it 5 stars.

Reviewer: flickfdude - - March 5, 2009
Subject: download speeds have been way too slow.
They are at 10% of usual speed.
Even the web player stops every few minutes.
It wasa good movie though

Reviewer: thxmer - - March 5, 2009
Subject: Must Watch
This is an excellent period movie that has weathered the years very well. You'll enjoy this one.